WEST A DOUBT FOR OULTON MN OPENER
Reigning champion’ s car isn’ t ready ... yet
Reigning Motorsport News Circuit Rally champion Chris West faces a race against time to be ready for the opening round of his title defence this weekend at Oulton Park.
West has a new Smith and Jonestuned 2.5-litre engine for his Peugeot 306 Maxi this year but, alongside work commitments, he is struggling to get the car ready in time for Saturday’s Neil Howard Stages. “I’m trying [to get the car ready] but there aren’t any guarantees,” said West, who is co-driven by Keith Hounslow.
“It isn’t looking very likely at the moment. I’ll do my best, if I do turn up I won’t be going for a win, I haven’t had the time to test it.
“If I am there won’t be any pressure from my side and we’ll be looking to finish the rally.”
West is still confident of the chance to defend his crown once the car is running smoothly. “I wouldn’t be doing it otherwise, I’d be at home,” he added.
“Once we sort these teething issues out I’m confident. It may not be this year that I win it again, but I’m certainly going to try. It’s a different car to drive, it’s lighter, handles differently. I was surprised at how different it feels. It’s going to take time to get used to it, seat time is everything.
“The grunt is phenomenal. It’s around a 33 per cent increase in power. It’s a big chunk. When I went from the two-litre to the 2.3-litre, it was around a six per cent increase.”
Oulton Park isn’t West’s favourite event on the calendar, his best result at the Cheshire venue is third, scored last year.
The winner of the last two Neil Howard Stages, Kevin Procter, leads the entry list, while David Richards makes a return to the co-drivers’ seat for the first time in a decade alongside Graham Coffey in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC.